The Samhain season is so rich with witchy, magic-y, fun, spooky (and sacred) events that I have created a list of all the ones I know about for this year. Some are scary, some are not - if it includes costumes or pumpkins or honouring the Beloved Dead, I've probably included it!
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Halloween Virtual Advent Calendar
http://www.gothtober.com (site plays music)
Silly, Spooky, Gothy Fun!
Parental discretion advised. May not be safe for work, unless you work some place super awesome!
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Alameda Point Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31, 10:00AM-10:00PM
Speer Family Farms, 2153 Ferry Point, Alameda
Free admission, $20 for all-activity wristband
We are family owned and operated by third and fourth generation Oakland natives. All of our pumpkins are sourced locally from small to medium sized farmers. We offer a wide variety pumpkins, squashes, and gourds. We have attractions ranging from 4 story ship slide, petting zoo, jumpy houses, kid play areas, mazes for your families enjoyment.
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Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31, 9:00AM-8:00PM
Piedmont Avenue Pumpkin Patch, 4414 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
Free admission, $8 for Haunted House
http://pumpkinpatch.info (site plays music)
Walk through our Halloween store at 4414 Piedmont into a Pumpkin Wonderland. We carry over 15 varieties of pumpkins, from tiny Muskins up to Atlantic Giants, Orange, Red, White, Bumpy, Ribbed, Green, and Multi-Colored. We also carry corn stalks, corn, gourds, straw, and straw bales. After you pick out a pumpkin, come into the store and purchase a carving kit and candles to make your Jack O’ Lantern unique. Also, decorate your house and yard with spider webs, giant spiders, tombstones, skeletons, and scarecrows.
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Halloween on Lemos Farm
October 1-31, 9:00-5:00PM
Lemos Farm, 12320 San Mateo Road (Hwy 92), Half Moon Bay, 650-726-2342
see website for detailed schedule and prices
Getting your Halloween Pumpkin is more fun at Lemos Farm! We have large pumpkin patches with hundreds of beautiful pumpkins for you to choose from.
In the Halloween Season (September and October), our Choo-Choo Train turns into a spooky Ghost Train (not too spooky, fun for the whole family). Don't forget to visit our Scare Zone! One Haunted House is for little kids. The other Haunted House is for kids of all ages, where we'll scare the yell out of you!
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Arata Pumpkin Farm
October 1-31,
Sundays-Thursdays 9:00AM-7:00PM, Fridays-Saturdays 9:00AM-10:30PM
Arata Pumpkin Farm, 185 Verde Road, Half Moon Bay, 650-726-7548
see website for schedule, list of attractions and prices
You can lose yourself in our 6 acre corn field and pumpkin river. Try to challenge yourself intellectually and physically in our 2 acre world famous Minotaur's Labyrinth Hay Maze. Take a walk on the wild side and adventure into our Haunted Barn. Relax and enjoy yourself on our Hay Ride. Step back in time while you watch our Gladiators do battle in our coliseum built out of hay bales. Or you can let the kid's play in our Play Land playground with Miniature Hay Maze, on the Children's Train Ride or have fun with our animals in the Petting Zoo. We also have many picnic areas throughout the farm, at Arata Pumpkin Farm we have something for everybody.
We also have dozens of varieties of pumpkins and sizes. We have a special pumpkin for everyone in your family! Feel free to give us a call, send us an email or just come to the farm. We would love to see you.
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Cornfield Maze in Livermore
October 1-31
G&M Farms, 487 E Airway Boulevard, Livermore, 925-447-3276
see website for detailed schedule and prices
It twists, it turns, it dead-ends - it’s six green acres of good old-fashioned family fun!
It’s the G&M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Livermore, the farm that is so fun it has been featured TWICE on the David Letterman Show! Bring the whole family - there’s harvest fun for all ages at G&M Farms, and it’s easy to find, right off I-580 at Isabel Avenue in Livermore.
Find your way through the maze, then enjoy G&M Farms’ huge Pumpkin Patch with pumpkins of all sizes - the kids can pick their own! For Mom, there’s fresh produce, decorative gourds and Indian corn. Your little ones will love G&M’s farm animals and the free straw bale maze and corn box. Weekends feature Pony Rides, Pedal Carts, and our new attraction The Barnyard Blasters! plus don’t forget to ride G&M Farms’ famous Cow Train!
G&M Farms Cornfield Maze and Pumpkin Patch was voted Best Seasonal Attraction in the East Bay by Diablo Magazine, and when you see it, you’ll believe it!
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Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch
October 1-31,
see website for detailed schedule
Santa Rosa Pumpkin Patch, 5157 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, 707-331-6653
Free admission, see website for cost of some activities
Get lost in Sonoma County’s largest corn maze! The Patch is family owned and offers a unique experience to the Northern Bay area. Our family looks forward to seeing you and your family this fall season. Our award-winning pumpkin patch offers 8 acres of pumpkins to choose from, a huge 8 acre corn maze (with a long and short route) and a variety of fun family activities.
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Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park
October 1-31,
see website for detailed schedule
Uesugi Farms, 14485 Monterey Road, San Martin, 408-778-7225
Free admission, $5 parking on weekends, see website for cost of some activities
Train Ride
Pumpkin Pete’s Enchanted Hayride
Corn Maze
The Cow Train
Butterfly Valley
Bootsie The Bee & Bootsie’s Honey Hut
Carousel
Pumpkin Blasters
Pony Rides
Petting Corral
Pumpkin Pyramid
Hay Jump
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Scarecrows in Downtown Benicia
October 1-31
on display in front of businesses throughout downtown Benicia
Free
Scarecrows are on display throughout the month of October. Businesses on First Street and throughout Benicia will show off imaginatively created scarecrows. A directory of participating businesses will be listed on Benicia Main Street’s website and available at all participating businesses. Three mystery judges will pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Best Scarecrow. The public is invited to vote on “People’s Choice” by picking up a ballot at participating businesses, Benicia Main Street, or during the Thursday night Farmers Market. Voting ends Sunday, October 22; selected winners from the mystery judges and “People’s Choice” will be announced shortly thereafter.
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Pirates of Emerson Haunted Adventure
various dates October 1-31,
see website for detailed schedule
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton
6 thrilling haunted attractions plus dead entertainment nightly!
One price admission includes these 6 attractions:
Pirates of Emerson
The Dark Gauntlet
Beneath the Darkness
Trick or Treat
Farmageddon
Terror-tories
In addition to our 6 Haunted attractions, your ticket includes:
Live Music, Mazes, Misfortune Teller, Frightmares Sideshow, Nightly Entertainment, and more!
Scary fun for adults who like to be scared! Beware!
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Fear Overload Scream Park
various dates October 1-November 11
see website for detailed schedule
Bayfair Center, 15555 E 14th Street, San Leandro
The Bay Area’s Premier Haunted House Event
Noted as being the best Haunted House Bay Area attractions, Fear Overload Scream Park’s nightmares are worth revisiting and gawking over. Open 23 nights in October and November, Fear Overload offers 2 ecstatic, over-the-top haunted houses rich with monsters and unsavory demons from the darkest depths of your fears. Expertly crafted and built up from scratch, the ideas keep flowing and construction is non-stop, providing some of the most detailed mazes and areas that’ll make you believe you’re really trapped in a bath house with a possessed girl who wants to take you as her muse. The most realistic and unpredictable Haunted House Bay Area allure, not to mention noted by Forbes as “the best in the West,” and named “Scariest in California,” by HauntWorld, Fear Overload lives up to its titles by placing you in the center of terror and letting your imagination run wild.
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San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour
with Christian Cagigal
Select dates October 7-31, 7:00PM
Tours start at 1801 Bush Street, San Francisco
$25, advance registration required
Walk to some of San Francisco's most notorious haunted places.
Hear thrilling stories based on documented research.
Discover weird and wonderful San Francisco history.
Feel tingles go up your spine.
*And maybe even SEE a ghost yourself...
The San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour is a historical walking tour of the Pacific Heights neighborhood, one of the few neighborhoods to survive The Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906.
You'll walk a mile on tree-lined streets in a safe residential area with fine Victorian architecture. You'll learn about real historic names of San Francisco - how they lived, how they died, and the reports of their hauntings ever since. We don't make it up. We just report it. You'll enjoy 90 minutes to 2 hours of guaranteed unearthly fun!
Strange things have happened on the San Francisco Ghost Hunt Walking Tour: orbs have appeared in photographs, coldspots have been felt indoors, acorns have been known to pelt people on the back (but only the really mean people). Keep an eye out, your senses open, and your camera ready (an EMF app couldn't hurt either) and you might have your own strange experience, too. Overall, the spirits we visit are safe and they won't follow you home. Otherwise, that would have a bad effect on our sales.
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Various Halloween-Themed Movies
select dates in October
The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th Street, Oakland
see website for details
Watching spooky movies is even more fun with comfy couches and pizza delivered right to your seat!
The New Parkway Theater is a community-centered cinema and pub located in Oakland’s Uptown district. Sit back and relax in our cozy couches while watching our new releases, cult classics, and fabulous special programming. Plus, enjoy yummy food and local beer and wine in our café or even delivered right to your theater seat all at affordable prices! Take a look at what’s playing in your second living room (your air-conditioned living room, that is)!
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Shrouded Tales
presented by the Hayward Area Historical Society
Select dates in October
see locations below
See website for detailed schedule and ticket information
McConaghy House, 18701 Hesperian Boulevard, Hayward
Friday-Saturday, October 6-7, 7:00PM and 9:00PM
San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery, Hesperian Blvd & College Street, San Lorenzo
Friday-Saturday, October 20-21, 7:00PM and 9:00PM
Meek Mansion, 17365 Boston Road, Hayward
Friday-Saturday, October 27-28, 7:00PM and 9:00PM
Explore true tales of tragic ends, Victorian death traditions and superstitions, all sprinkled with a touch of the paranormal. Join our spirits and spooks for a bit of Halloween fun.
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Toddler Time: Halloween
Thursday, October 12, 10:30-11:30AM
HAHS Center for History and Culture, 22380 Foothill Boulevard, Hayward
Free
Halloween is everyone's favorite night to dress up, carve a pumpkin, and go trick-or-treating. Join us to celebrate this spooky holiday through stories, crafts, and fun! Don't forget to wear your costume.
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Halloween
part of the Cerrito Classics series
Thursday, October 12, 9:30PM
Cerrito Theater, 10070 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
$9
Get your fright on with Halloween, Thursday, October 12, at 9:30PM at the Cerrito!
See the horror movie that launched a career, a franchise and a genre! Halloween was director John Carpenter’s third full-length feature, and it starred Jamie Lee Curtis in her first movie role. It was also the first of a new wave of horror movies. Without Halloween we might not have had the Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, or Scary Movie franchises. In 2006, the National Film Preservation Board selected Halloween to the National Film Registry as a “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” film.
Tony Moran plays Michael Myers, an escaped mental patient who has returned to his home town on Halloween night to continue the crimes that led to his being institutionalized 15 years earlier. Donald Pleasence plays Dr. Loomis, the psychiatrist in charge of Myers’ case (one of the few times when Pleasence doesn’t play the creepiest character in the movie). Jamie Lee Curtis plays Laurie Strode, one of a group of teenagers whom Myers pursues.
There have been ten movies in the Halloween franchise, but this (the original) is the only one that was directed by John Carpenter. The movie will be preceded by an interview and retrospective with Carpenter exploring the influence of the original Halloween on the horror genre and on the film industry as a whole. In this bonus feature, Carpenter explains why the movie is meant for the big screen (we agree!).
Please join us on October 12 to see Halloween, which has been digitally restored and remastered by the original cinematographer.
Halloween plays once only on Thursday, October 12 at 9:30PM All seats are $9. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as many shows sell out.
Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.
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Sacramento Witches’ Ball
Friday, October 13, 7:00PM-1:00AM
VFW Grounds, 8990 Kruitof Way, Fair Oaks
$25
18+
The Sacramento Witches’ Ball is a fundraising event to support the PanGaia Festival, held in Fair Oaks, California each June. The Sacramento Witches’ Ball is sponsored by North Western Circles Association, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising money in support of Stand Down Sacramento, Wildlife Care Association, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Live Music & Entertainment
Costume Contest
Ghost Stories with Pacific Coast Spirit Watch
Absinthe Bar with full "Green Fairy" ritual pour
Food for purchase
Divinators (each sets their own fee)
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Ghost Tours of Old Sacramento
Fridays and Saturdays, October 13-28, tours leave every 30 minutes 6:00-9:00PM
meet at Sacramento History Museum, 101 I Street, Old Sacramento
$15 adults, $10 youth ages 8-17. Children under 8 years old not permitted.
Advanced ticket reservation is required.
Come join the “ghosts” of early Sacramento on an eerie journey back in time! Beware of wayward miners, murder victims, and other colorful Gold Rush characters. Hear tantalizing tales of how folks lived - and died! - in our fair city.
Old Sacramento Ghost Tours depart from the Sacramento History Museum at 101 I Street in Old Sacramento. This mile long guided walking tour lasts approximately one hour. Each tour can accommodate up to 20 people.
Come dressed for the weather outside and wear comfortable walking shoes. Tours run rain or shine!
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The Pumpkin Train
Fridays-Sundays, October 13-29, 5:30-8:30PM
Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, 233 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos
$6 includes 1 train ride and 1 carousel ride.
There is something in the air, and it smells like Pumpkins!
It's Halloween time at the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad and W.E. "Bill" Mason Carousel, and we are ready for yet another fun festive season at Oak Meadow and Vasona Parks.
Join us for spooky fun rides on the train and carousel, then pick out your very own pumpkin to take home! The snack shack will also be in operation offering sticky sweet treats.
Hours are from 5:30PM until 8:30PM, with the last train of the evening departing at 8:20PM. As always, please note that all times are weather permitting.
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Candlelight Tours of the Winchester Mystery House
various dates, October 13-31, tours start every 10 minutes, 6:30-11:30PM
see website for schedule and ticket details
Winchester Mystery House, 525 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose
$20-$49 - may sell out!
As autumn winds swirl, it’s time to join us at the Winchester Mystery House, one of America’s most legendary haunted mansions, as we present our annual (and extremely popular) Hallowe’en Candlelight Tours. In a chilling and Gothic atmosphere, it’s just you, flickering candlelight and your imagination to guide you through the storied 160-room Victorian mansion noted for its “activity.”
On this guided tour, candlelight provides the only illumination through the bewildering maze of rooms, frozen in a state of arrested decay or still resplendent in Victorian grandeur. Although touches of festive Halloween abound, the atmosphere is heavy with foreboding as an unseen presence seems to be watching always. You never know who has decided to permanently stay behind or what may materialize.
Brave souls can experience Hallowe’en by candlelight at Winchester Mystery House during 15 dark nights only in October 2017.
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History for Half Pints: Day of the Dead
Saturday, October 14, 10:00AM-1:00PM
HAHS Center for History and Culture, 22380 Foothill Boulevard, Hayward
Free
Traditional DÃa de los Muertos altars have many components that are used to reflect and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed; a photo of who is being commemorated, candles to light the way for those spirits visiting during the celebration, and vibrantly colored sugar skulls. Kids of all ages are welcome to decorate their own sugar skulls to add to their at home altars.
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Pumpkins in the Park
Saturday, October 14, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Guadalupe River Park / Discovery Meadow, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Free
Pumpkins in the Park is a harvest fair for families with a strong environmental education component. It is designed to promote awareness of the Guadalupe River Park and celebrate the fall season. Pumpkins in the Park is held to raise funds and enlist supporters for Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. But, just as importantly, its purpose is to create awareness of the park and gardens and to bring families into the park for a day of learning and fun.
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13 for Halloween Show and Sale
Saturday, October 14, 11:00AM-4:00PM
Textile Dream Studio, 2525 8th Street, 13-C, Berkeley
Free Admission
Spookiest Art Show in the Bay Area
This annual event features 13 artists who love Halloween and make original art you won’t find anywhere else.
Thirteen for Halloween is a group show organized by fiber artist, Alexandra Von Burg. Alexandra is personally dedicated to having fun making art and encouraging the celebration of the most hallowed of holidays. She invites like-minded artists who create art that is creepy, gothic, ghoulish, ridiculous, wickedly funny, and sometimes utilitarian.
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Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15, 9:00AM-5:00PM
see website for detailed schedule of events, entertainers and vendors
Historic Main Street, Half Moon Bay
Free
Autumn is a spectacularly special season on the fertile, scenic coast around Half Moon Bay, where the entire Coastside area bursts into a brilliant sea of orange and buzzes with excitement and activity to celebrate its bountiful and beautiful fall harvest. The dazzling journey is its own reward... the tunnel through Devils Slide is a sight to behold, plus the breath-taking views of seaside farm country dotted with vast, rolling fields of orange, scarecrows, barns, and pick-your-own pumpkin patches. It's the perfect time of year and the perfect place to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Fall season, and Half Moon Bay does it like nobody else. The world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is the season’s signature event, drawing hordes of visitors to the World Pumpkin Capital for an epic festival on historic Main Street.
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Alden Lane’s Annual Scarecrow Building Contest
Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore
Free, please call 925-447-0280 to register
This contest is for anyone who has an imagination and loves to have fun! You can enter as a group or individually. Families are encouraged to have fun building together. We provide the frame and the straw; you provide the garnish and imagination, it’s tons of fun for everyone. If you really don’t want to build, just come to watch, and enjoy the fun. Warning! You’ll want to join in… so please call ahead to register and reserve your frame!
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Witches and Wizards Weekend at Playland
Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15, 10:00AM-5:00PM
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
see website for admission details
As Halloween creeps closer, Playland-Not-at-the-Beach becomes a bit more haunted and bewitched. This weekend, wizards and witches of all kinds can discover hidden magic potions, mysterious spells and mystical enchantments. Come in costume for special prizes!
Fabulous Frank will join us to perform his wonderfully funny magic. Originally from Connecticut, Frank assisted other magicians at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, but always in a sidekick role. When one of the in-house magicians became ill, Frank began performing his own shows. This guy is really Fabulous and knows how to have a good time with his audience!!!
Over 30+ pinball machines spanning seven decades, video games, Penny Arcade machines, challenging carnival games of skill, interactive displays and exhibits, miniature circuses, sideshow exhibits, baffling magic shows - they are all here waiting to entertain and amuse you!
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Tolay Fall Festival
Saturday-Sunday, October 14-15 and 21-22, 11:00AM-5:00PM
Tolay Lake Regional Park, 5869 Cannon Lane, Petaluma
Adults $5, Children 12 and under $3, parking $7 per car
The Tolay Fall Festival offers two weekends of old-time, nature-based fun from 11:00AM-5:00PM, October 14-15 and 21-22 at Tolay Lake Regional Park southeast of Petaluma.
More than just a pumpkin patch, the Tolay Fall Festival is a seasonal celebration of the beauty and history of this special park. Fall Festival activities are low-key, hands-on, and educational by design.
Explore the Nighttime Creatures Barn full of native and exotic snakes, birds of prey, tide pool animals, and taxidermied wildlife
Venture into the Creepy Crawly Room, where tarantulas and scorpions glow under black lightsTake a hayride to a pumpkin patch and find the perfect Halloween pumpkin
Alaguali Yowa Yomi (Coast Miwok) cultural activities
Try farm activities like wool-carding and candle-dipping
Enter the World-Record Pumpkin-Seed Spitting Contest
Join hands-on demonstrations in archery, astronomy, and nature photography
Compete in gunnysack races. Find your way through a straw maze. Pet barnyard animals
Enjoy food and desserts from local vendors or bring a picnic!
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Halloween Laser Spooktacular
Saturdays, October 14-28
see website for detailed schedule
Fujitsu Planetarium at DeAnza College,
21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino
see website for ticket details
Celebrate Halloween with a fantastic display of laser drawn images and music under the planetarium sky.
Show features the following music:
Requiem - Mozart
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
People are Strange - The Doors
Pulstar - Vangelis
The Conversation - John Williams
Hot, Hot, Hot - Buster Poindexter
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Devil Went Back to Georgia - Mark O' Connor
Monster Mash - Bobby Picket
Beetlejuice - Danny Elfman
Ghostriders - The Outlaws
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Thomas and Percy's Halloween Party
Saturdays-Sundays, October 14-29, 11:00AM-7:00PM
Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, 831-335-4484
Free admission, see website for Steam Train tickets
Little engineers won’t believe their eyes - or their ears! This year, for the first time ever, Percy will be joining Thomas the Tank Engine on the rails! Also for the first time ever, Thomas the Tank Engine will be able to talk to his fans!
Dress up for Halloween with favorites Thomas and Percy, for a 20 minute train ride, entertainment, and fun filled activities for the entire family. Activities include: Temporary Tattoos, Face Painting, Storytelling, Videos, Train Play Tables, Pick a Pumpkin (small pumpkins for little ones), Cookie Decorating, Photos with Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas store, and entertainment.
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Candle Lighters' Ghost House
October 14-30
see website for detailed schedule
Chadbourne Carriage House, 39169 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont
It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness. I don't know who said that first; I learned it from Linus van Pelt*.
But it's even better to have fun with the spooky darkness, so the Candle Lighters organization raises money for several Bay Area charities with their annual Ghost House.
Candle Lighters is a non-profit organization of nearly 130 women volunteers dedicated to raising funds for non-profit groups and community-based projects in the Tri-City Community. (Fremont, Newark, and Union City). We consider ourselves a service and a social organization.
Candle Lighters raises donatable dollars solely through our annual Ghost House. Open during the last two weeks of October and based in a historical 19th century Carriage House, the Ghost House is an evolving family-oriented event.
Using a different theme each year, Candle Lighter members, families, sponsors, and friends transform the site into an arena of goblins, ghosts, witches, and warlocks, providing fun for the community.
In addition to the Ghost House itself, a midway of games, caramel apples, a country store, and delightful food treats is created, again geared to entertainment for the entire family.
*My sweet baboo, of course. He has the sincerest pumpkin patch!
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Day of the Dead Doll Class
with Alexandra Von Burg
Sunday, October 15, 11:00AM-4:00PM
Textile Dream Studio, 2525 8th Street, #13-C, Berkeley
Many have been asking for it, so here it is! Sondra will help you make your own version of her skeletal Madonna, including the chest niche.
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Pumpkin Splash!
Sunday, October 15, 1:00-3:00PM
Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park, 468 Boyd Road, Pleasant Hill
$12 includes pumpkin
Don't miss our unique pumpkin picking opportunity!
Jump into Pleasant Hill Aquatic Park's first floating pumpkin patch and pick your favorite pumpkin for Halloween. Once you pick your pumpkin, give it a silly face at our pumpkin decorating station and play fun carnival games on deck. Fun for all ages!
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Tarot For Your Ancestors
with Casey Zabala
Sunday, October 15, 5:00-7:00PM
Gravel & Gold, 3266 21st Street, San Francisco
$30
Join Casey Zabala of Wanderer's Tarot to deepen your ancestral knowing and revel in these betwixt & between times. Samhain is just around the corner - that time of the year when the veil is thin, we honor our beloved dead, and celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year.
Using the Tarot as our guide, we will divine how to be in right relationship with our ancestors, and how to strengthen the familial bond.
Please bring your favorite tarot deck, an altar item, a journal, and any research or knowledge you have about your ancestors.
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Misfit Cabaret Presents: Horror Show
Hosted by Kat Robichaud
Select dates, October 20-28
The Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson Street, San Francisco
See website for detailed schedule and ticket information
A truly horrific variety show with slasher film parodies, gruesome serial killers, demonic possession, and singing!
Drawing on the momentum from a Top 10 spot on NBC's The Voice, as well as more than a decade of experience working in the music industry, singer Kat Robichaud brings her band Darling Misfits to The Great Star Theater for Misfit Cabaret, an exciting blend of musical theater, rock 'n' roll and vaudeville. Robichaud and her band create a night of decadence, bawdiness, and damsels (not) in distress, complete with everything from burlesque to drag to circus to magic. For each new show, Robichaud writes two original songs keeping with the theme of the evening (this month: Horror Show), as well as a special medley to kick off the evening. Imagine a place where your darkest dreams bloom into thrilling life - that's what Misfit Cabaret is all about.
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Halloween Train
at the Ardenwood Railroad Museum
Fridays-Sundays, October 20-29, 7:00-9:00PM
Ardenwood Historic Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Boulevard, Fremont
$7, Children 3 and under Free
Climb aboard the train for a frightfully fun ride through the dark forests of Ardenwood. The entire family will enjoy the ghoulishly fun round trip ride on the haunted rails of the Ghost Train.
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Haunted Depot
Fridays-Sundays, October 20-29
see website for detailed schedule
The Historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, 90 First Street, Benicia
Adults $3; Children under 5, $2
The normally mild-mannered Southern Pacific Railroad Depot will mysteriously transform into a frightful depository of ghosts, goblins, and spirits daring the public to pay a visit.
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Ludwig the Owl
with Denise Marshall
Saturday, October 21, 11:00AM–5:00PM
Castle in the Air, 1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley, 510-204-9801
$125 includes materials, limited to 8 students
Such a scholarly looking chap! In this class, you will learn the basics of wool needlefelting over a cotton wrapped armature. Denise Marshall will walk you through wrapping your armature with wool and felting it into place, helping you design Ludwig to mimic your favorite owl species. Of course Ludwig will need a beak and talons as well, and you’ll learn how to integrate these into your figure. His eyes are created from hand-painted glass cabochons, and with a bit of sewing you’ll dress him in perfect plaid accessories. The finishing touches include a tiny secret book and spectacles placed in his satchel and ready to provide the astute Ludwig with owlish words of wisdom.
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Floating Pumpkin Patch
Saturday, October 21, 1:30-6:00PM
Ridgway Swim Center, 455 Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa
$10 includes pumpkin
This event creates a fun spin on tradition by having a pumpkin patch in the pool! In addition to pumpkins, there are plenty of other fun activities planned for the day!
Hunt for your perfect pumpkin in the pool and then deck it out at our decorating station with all sorts of fun crafts! Plus, the pool will be open for pumpkin-splashing fun and we'll be playing games and handing out prizes all afternoon! This is a family event suitable for participants of all ages - so bring your buddies too!
Event Schedule
1:30PM: Games and activities begin on the pool deck
2:00PM: Floating Pumpkin Patch opens
2:00-6:00PM: Activities, crafts, open swim, and fun!
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Zombie Brew Crawl!
Saturday, October 21, 2:30-5:30PM
Downtown Martinez
see website for ticket information
Pre-registration required, 21+
The undead are coming to Downtown Martinez and they are thirsty for craft beer!
The Main Street Martinez 5th annual Zombie Brew Crawl is happening on the streets of Martinez and everyone is encouraged to join the crowd. Zombies will be walking around the downtown corridor of Martinez, sampling beers great craft breweries stationed at various small businesses along Main Street.
Zombie costumes are optional, however there will be cash prizes awarded for the best individual costumes as well as the best group costume.
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North Bay Reclaiming’s Samhain and Annual Fundraiser
Saturday, October 21, 6:30PM
Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Avenue, Sebastopol
Suggested donations of $13-$33, no one turned away for lack of funds
We gather together to honor our Beloved Dead and celebrate Samhain, the Witch's New Year. Come and honor your ancestors with community and dance the spiral dance!
Intention: At this crucial time, we step into the waters of life; Our magick is reborn in the dark.
Cost is a sliding scale of $13 to $33, no one turned away for lack of funds.
Newbies welcome.
All our rituals are clean and sober spaces.
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Dracula's Guest
Saturday, October 21, 8:00PM-12:00AM
Slovenian Hall, 2101 Mariposa Street, San Francisco
$30-$130
21+
None other than our mystical, esteemed host, Count Dracula, welcomes you to The Slovenian Hall. The Count's westernmost abode will be home to an up-close evening of music and variety, libations from Vlad’s Wine Cellar, and perhaps a bite or delight from the Vampire Kitchen. Garlic amnesty at the door, no questions asked.
This one-of-a-kind, intimate soirée offers a sonic séance by San Francisco's beloved queen of the darkness Jill Tracy, mesmerizing magic by Roman Spinale, vampiric dance seduction by The Darker Still Ensemble, tarot readings by Khalsa, and the immortal sounds of DJ Fact50.
A very limited quantity of reserved seating and general millabout tickets available now, please join us!
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Goblin Jamboree
Saturday-Sunday, October 21-22, 10:00AM-4:00PM
see website for detailed schedule
Bay Area Discovery Museum, 557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
$17.95
Don your best costumes and celebrate Halloween at the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s Goblin Jamboree. This year’s theme is Witches and Wizards and we’ve pulled together a cauldron of spooky themed programs and activities to entertain your entire family.
Proceeds from Goblin Jamboree support the Bay Area Discovery Museum’s mission to transform research into early learning experiences that inspire creative problem solving.
Activities include: Pony rides, Petting zoos, Bounce houses, Hay mazes, Train rides, Face painting, Glow-in-the-dark trains, Wand Design, Spooky Sticker Room, Broom Obstacle Course, Enchanted Transportation, Slime Room, Haunted Architecture, Potion Laboratory
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Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies Weekend at Playland
Saturday-Sunday, October 21-22, 10:00AM-5:00PM
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
see website for admission details
At Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, we like to call October Halloween MONTH. Little vampires, werewolves and zombies are on the loose at this fun, safe, pre-Halloween event. Wear a vampire, werewolf or zombie costume (or a mashup of all three!) and win 50 free tickets towards spooooky carnival prizes!
Performances by Fabulous Frank at 1:00PM & 3:00PM
Fabulous Frank will join us to perform his wonderfully funny magic. Originally from Connecticut, Frank assisted other magicians at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, but always in a sidekick role. When one of the in-house magicians became ill, Frank began performing his own shows. This guy is really Fabulous and knows how to have a good time with his audience!!!
Over 30+ pinball machines spanning seven decades, video games, Penny Arcade machines, challenging carnival games of skill, interactive displays and exhibits, miniature circuses, sideshow exhibits, baffling magic shows - they are all here waiting to entertain and amuse you!
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Downtown Benicia Ghost Walk
Friday & Saturday, October 21-22, 8:00PM
meet at 90 First Street, Benicia
$25, reservations required.
Ages 12-17 must be accompanied by adult.
For more information, please call 707-745-9791
Spooky tales of the paranormal history of Benicia are revealed on this exciting, interactive, and fun Ghost Walk with paranormal investigator Deborah Hogarty and Serena Desoto. Step into the shoes of a paranormal investigator and meet the ghosts of Benicia’s past. Good walking shoes and flashlight are recommended. Limited capacity on tours and lasts approximately 2 hours, depending on what entity the group encounters. 12 years and older permitted on tours. Ages 12-17 must be accompanied by adult. Tours are $25 per person. Prepaid reservations are required by calling 707-745-9791.
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Where History Meets Haunting: Inventions and Imaginations
Select dates October 21 & 27-28,
Family Program 12:00-4:00PM on Saturdays
Evening Program 6:30-10:00PM on Friday and Saturdays
The Rengstorff House, 3070 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View
$10 in advance, $15 at the door
Let your adventure in time begin here!
America in the 19th century was a rapidly changing and industrializing society and this year the Friends of “R” House are pleased to bring you; from the creators of the popular Where History Meets Haunting, Where History Meets Haunting Presents: Inventions and Imaginations. Come explore the vast wonders of the 19th century with a haunted Steampunk twist set in a historic house museum. Come learn about the imaginative ideas of the era and the real history behind them in this one of a kind interactive haunted house attraction.
Once again we will be offering two distinct programs, our ticketed evening program which includes all of the traditional sound and lighting effects along with the unparalleled interactive and immersive experience you have come to expect from the Where History Meets Haunting crew. If that’s not your interest we are again offering our daytime family programs, so, bring the kids out for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, fun, and a behind the scenes look at Inventions and Imaginations. Take a few moments and interact with our costumed interpreters and if you’re lucky, you just might stumble upon one of our Head Haunters or their co-conSPIRITors. See if you can get them to talk!
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Community Celebration for the Days of the Dead
Sunday, October 22, 12:00-4:30PM
Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak Street, Oakland
$12.95 in advance, $15.95 at the door
Join us as OMCA comes alive for the 23rd annual community celebration honoring Days of the Dead traditions in conjunction with our Metamorphosis & Migration: Days of the Dead exhibition.
Craft activities, tasty food, dance and music groups, colorful ofrendas, and ceremonia bring the community together for this healing tradition. Watch demonstrations of traditional Mesoamerican arts and cooking, and browse Days of the Dead merchandise by local artisans for your home altar at our mercado. Enjoy performances ranging from contemporary popular music to folkloric dance to mariachi. Join in a procession to open the celebration led by Aztec dancers and Days of the Dead committee members. View community-created altars throughout the OMCA Gardens paying homage to loved ones lost. Get your tickets online early and save for this popular event.
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RiffTrax Live presents Night of the Living Dead
Wednesday, October 25, 8:00PM
see website for local event details and tickets
Just in time for Halloween, the guys who make movies funny are back in select movie theaters nationwide for an exclusive rebroadcast of the 2013 riff on the zombie movie that started it all: Night of the Living Dead. Join Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett of RiffTrax for a hilarious riff on this masterpiece of brain eating mayhem! This one night event will be your only chance to relive this fan favorite back on the big screen.
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Playland Halloween After Dark
Thursday, October 26, 6:00-10:00PM
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
$10
18+
Come play some Haunted House pinball in full costume at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach's after dark Halloween party. Get ready for spooky magic, mystery, treats and games, with no kids allowed. Awoooo!
Over 30+ pinball machines spanning seven decades, video games, Penny Arcade machines, challenging carnival games of skill, interactive displays and exhibits, miniature circuses, sideshow exhibits, baffling magic shows - they are all here waiting to entertain and amuse you!
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Hangtown Halloween Music Festival
Thursday-Sunday, October 26-29
El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville
see website for ticket details
Located at the gateway of the picturesque Sierra mountains, Hangtown Halloween Music Festival creates a fantastic holiday-themed getaway for festival goers of all ages. Each year, the event ushers in the harvest season with colorful Halloween themed ambiance and art installations, artist workshops and a diverse lineup spanning multiple genres of music. More than just a chance to get costumed, groove to great music, and get a little wild under the harvest moon; the four-night camping festival has become a treasured tradition for many.
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Spooky Night 2017 at the Campbell Museum
Friday, October 27, 2:00-6:00PM
Campbell Historical Museum, 51 N Central Avenue, Campbell
Free
Get ready for some friendly hair-raising family fun at the Campbell Historical Museum this October!
This year's 15th annual Spooky Night will run from 2:00-6:00PM on Friday, October 27. All of the museum's exhibits will be open for trick-or-treating, Halloween games, arts and crafts, music and family-friendly crafts. Costumes are encouraged!
This event is free and open to anyone interested.
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Scaregrove
Friday, October 27, 3:00-9:00PM
Stern Grove, 2750 19th Avenue, San Francisco
$10, children under 2 years old Free
Boo! Scaregrove returns to Stern Grove. An “out of this world” Halloween event, this year’s event will feature a costume contest and parade, haunted houses, hay rides, carnival rides, giant inflatables, food for sale, and live entertainment. $10 per person; children under 2 years old are free!
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Marine Masquerade
Friday, October 27, 5:30-8:00PM
Seymour Center, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz
Adults $8, Children $6, Ages 2 and Under Free
Join us for a Magical Mystery Marine Masquerade Adventure!
Kids - dress up if you wish, be a seal or a fish - and bring your parents for a night of scavenger hunts, creature crafts, flashlight tours to a whale of a skeleton, a shipwreck story, costume parade, music, and more.
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Womyn’s Spiral Dance
Honoring the Ancestors and the Crones
with Daughters of the Goddess
Friday, October 27, Marketplace opens at 6:30PM, Ritual begins at 7:30PM
Orinda Masonic Temple, 9 Altarinda Road, Orinda
This Event is for Cisgender Women
Adults $29, Teens 14-19 $5, Girls 13 and under Free
Craftswomen, Drumming, Chanting, Dancing in Community and Sisterhood.
Bring your drums, rattles, and a picture of an Ancestor for the Ancestor Altar.
For more information call 925-787-9739 or 925-787-9247 or e-mail Leilani at Leilani@DaughtersoftheGoddess.com
Daughters of the Goddess is a Aloha-Dianic, Womyn-only Goddess Temple
dedicated in the Spirit of Aloha to the preservation, perpetuation and promotion
of Goddess & Indigenous culture, public ceremony, ritual and Womyn’s Mysteries
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Ship of Spirits: Dinner with a Medium & Flashlight Tour
on board the USS Hornet
with paranormal authors Jeff Dwyer & Loyd Auerbach
Friday, October 27, 6:30PM-Midnight
USS Hornet Museum, 707 W Hornet Avenue, Pier 3, Alameda
$65, must book in advance
Bring your own flashlight
Ages 12+
Please join us for a special evening of folklore and behind the scenes tours, as well as a catered dinner in Hangar Bay 3 with local paranormal author Jeff Dwyer and dinner host Professor Loyd Auerbach.
Guest of honor Jeff Dwyer is the author of the ten books that explore ghosts and other paranormal phenomena in major metropolitan regions of the U.S. He has also author three textbooks on paranormal topics including the recent Paranormal CSI. Dwyer is a professional paranormal investigator, having investigated haunted places in cities ranging from Boston to Seattle. He has served as technical advisor for TV and films, appeared on more than one hundred radio and TV shows and several paranormal conferences. Most recently, he has appeared on episodes of Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures and Afterschocks, and Destination America’s popular Ghost Bros. You will also find him featured in a full-length documentary entitled Haunted Wine Country scheduled for release in October 2017.
Your dinner host and guest lecturer will be acclaimed parapsychologist, ghost hunter, and mentalist, Professor Loyd Auerbach followed by a flashlight tour of the most notoriously spooky locations on the ship. This includes areas not usually open to the general public, such as the Combat Information Center (CIC), Mess Deck, Sidewinder Missile Assembly Room, Sick Bay, and more.
Ages 17 & Under must be accompanied by a paying Adult.
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Witches Ball and Samhain Celebration
presented by the Sonoma County Pagan Network
Friday, October 27, 7:00PM
Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa
$5-$10 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds
For 17 years it has been our privilege to hold our annual Witches' Ball and Samhain Celebration for the Pagan community of Sonoma County. Once again we invite you to come and celebrate and feast with us. Costume or ritual garb is encouraged.
This year’s evening’s festivities include:
Ritual in the Free Folk Tradition and facilitated by Thermal and other SCPN members.
Altars For Samhain: Remembering that Samhain is about Honoring our Dead. Building Altars is part of that. And we can then support each other in that Honoring. What is Remembered, Lives. We will be co-creating the Altars for Samhain. So please plan on bringing something(s) to be part of this activity (and, of course, bring them back home with you for your own altar at home).
Beloved Dead: An altar for those you are mourning/remembering.
Mighty Dead Of The Craft / Spirit: these are our Ancestors of the Craft / Spirit - Those Who've paved the way for us witches/Pagans today.
Ancestors Of Culture: Who are the writers, the composers/musicians, the activists - These too are our Ancestors. Who has shaped the world, shaped you?
Dinner with the Dead
This year we are requesting/suggesting that to make our connection to our ancestors/beloved dead that much more special, you bring a dish or dessert that has an ancestral or family connection for you. Why not make one of Nonna's favorite recipes? Or share Grampa's favorite kind of cookies? Samhain feast a is not only a time to honor our dead, but we also mark the New Year and celebrate our abundant harvest. Let's enjoy a bountiful meal together in the midst of our dearly departed. We ask that you bring a potluck dish to share that serves 4-6 people and/or a non-alcoholic brew. Please bring your own place setting. There will be hot water available for tea.
Witch and Wizard Hat Contest
We just can't wait to see what all the stylish witches and wizards are wearing this year. So if you have a hat that you made yourself or something you bought and embellished that you want to show off, bring it and wear it for a chance to win a prize.
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Hallowine 2017!
Friday, October 27, 8:00-11:00PM
Rock Wall Wine Company, 2301 Monarch Street, Alameda
$25
21+
Join us for an evening of Halloween shenanigans! Bay Area legend DJ Alex Mejia will keep the party rockin' while you sip amazing wines, commemorate your awesome time in our haunted photo booth, get creeped out by our spooky sensory bar and play some pumpkin games! Come in costume for a chance to win some awesome prizes.
Admission includes a souvenir wine glass and your first glass of wine. Wine by the glass, non-alcoholic beverages, and food will be available for an additional charge.
Participating Food Trucks:
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Halloween Spooktacular Improv Show
Friday-Saturday, October 27-28, 8:00PM
Made Up Theatre, 3392 Seldon Court, Fremont
$15
Made Up Theatre’s Halloween Spooktacular is an annual celebration of our favorite holiday with a fast-paced short form improv show that will have you laughing ’till you cry! Similar to TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the cast will entertain with rarely-played improv games based on audience suggestions, host a costume contest (where the winner gets a cool prize!), and MORE! It’s fun, interactive, hilarious, and there’s TWO chances to catch it!
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Groundswell Halloween Gathering
Friday-Tuesday, October 27-31
Groundswell Institute, 18500 Highway 128, Yorkville
See website for registration information
It is only because of our ancestors, the honored dead who fought to get us here, that we are able to live and love as freely as we do. Let’s live, love, and laugh in their honor with a weekend of community revelry and ritual. We will have the Ghastly Talent Show on Saturday, followed by our Dead Diva dance party. Sunday will be focused on ritually honoring our dead beloved, both those we knew personally and those we didn’t. Guests are welcome to stay on through Halloween day.
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Halloween ComicFest
Saturday, October 28
your local comic book store - see website for participating shops in your area
Celebrate Halloween at Comic Book Shops!
Your local comic book specialty shop is a great destination for the latest Halloween and horror pop-culture products and merchandise: from comics and graphic novels to costumes, toys and more! Plus, each shop has great Halloween events planned, so make sure you find your closest destination and come in and see what haunts your local comic book shop!
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Halloween Costume Contest and Sidewalk Stroll
Saturday, October 28, 10:00AM
City Park, 1st Street and Military W, Benicia
Free
Kids of all ages enjoy the popular Halloween event! Local merchants on First Street get into the spirit, offering candy and treats as kids and families stroll First Street trick-or-treating. At noon on the First Street Green, located at First and East B Streets, the public can enjoy the ever-popular Canine & Critter Costume Contest with prizes. Announcement of the winners of the Halloween Costume Contest to follow.
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Spooky Times at Deer Hollow Farm
Saturday, October 28, 10:00AM-3:00PM
Deer Hollow Farm in Rancho San Antonio County Park, Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos
$7 (in costume $5)
Deer Hollow Farm invites you to celebrate the spooky spirit of Halloween!
Explore haunted barns and a ‘dark forest’
Meet the farm animals in open pens
Treats, drinks and merchandise will be available for purchase
Try your hand at children’s activities and crafts
Make “sweet” spiders
Make chocolate bat finger puppets
Plant a seed to take home
Make bubbles, leaf prints
Explore a creepy touch table
Spooktacular ball toss
Our pens will be open: the goats, chickens, sheep and Luna the cow will welcome you and your family to celebrate Halloween at a 160-year old working farm in the middle of Silicon Valley.
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Sugar Skulls for Dia de los Muertos
with Bethany Mann
Saturday, October 28, 11:00AM–5:00PM
Castle in the Air, 1805 Fourth Street, Berkeley, 510-204-9801
$95 includes materials, limited to 12 students
In this seasonal class, you will learn the traditions and techniques for making and decorating sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. These sweet mementos are given to children or are left on a memorial altar on November 1 and 2 as a fond remembrance of loved ones who have gone over to the other side. Bethany Mann will show you how to mold the sugar skulls themselves, as well as some simple but effective decorating techniques using icing, papers, and Castle in the Air’s beautiful Dresden paper trim. You will complete skulls in several sizes for all of your memento mori needs.
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Halloween at Howarth Park
Saturday, October 28, 11:30AM-12:15PM, 12:45-1:30PM, or 2:00-2:45PM
Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa
$6 Basic Pass: includes trick-or-treating and access to the Fun Zone
$15 Deluxe Pass: includes same as above plus a train, carousel, and pony ride
Join us for the 12th annual Halloween at Howarth! Dress in your best costume and come trick-or-treat throughout one of Santa Rosa's most popular parks! Plus, hop on Howarth Park's train and carousel with your costumed friends and catch a pony ride too!
Children ages 12 and under will trick-or-treat through the park at treat stations hosted by local Santa Rosa businesses and organizations and can then enjoy Howarth Park's many other attractions.
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Ancient Roots & Folk Traditions of Mexico's Feast of Days of the Dead
with Bea Carrillo Hocker
Saturday, October 28, 1:00-3:00PM
HAHS Center for History and Culture, 22380 Foothill Boulevard, Hayward
Free
Join the Historical Society for our Annual Day of the Dead Program led by educator, curator, and DÃa de los Muertos specialist Bea Carrillo Hocker. Hocker’s presentation will address the Pre-Hispanic concept of death as portrayed in the paintings and sculptures of Mexico’s early artists, the impact of Spanish Catholicism on indigenous funerary rites, and offer insights into the present-day pageantry of DÃa de los Muertos along with the reclamation of these traditions by Mexican Americans.
Following this discussion will be a Mexican Day of the Dead Skeleton Jumping Jack Workshop. Skeleton Jumping Jacks are the traditional toys sold during the Day of the Dead Festival. Come create this traditional toy - accessorize it to give it its own unique personality.
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Downtown Livermore Halloween Carnival
Saturday, October 28, 1:00-5:00PM
Historic Downtown Livermore, McLeod Street between First and Second Street, Livermore
Free admission, $5 for some activities
Join us for the Kidz Town Halloween Hay Day - Livermore's favorite family tradition!
The Downtown hosts Halloween fun activities for families with children in the 5th grade and younger! Kids will enjoy the costume contest, Halloween themed activities, downtown business trick-or-treat and more!
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Halloween Twilight Hike at Coyote Hills
Saturday, October 28, 5:30-8:30PM
Coyote Hills Regional Park, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road, Fremont
$4, pre-registration required
Parking $5
Ages 5 and up
Spend a SPOOKtacular evening as we hike the hills looking for hobgoblins, witches, and ghosts during sunset. Find out the ancient origins and modern traditions of Halloween. Don your costume to seek out wandering souls along the trail. Return for treats and a campfire story.
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Halloween Pirate Party Sail
aboard the Schooner Freda B with SF Bay Adventures
Saturday, October 28, 5:30-8:30PM
boarding at Sausalito Yacht Harbor, Slip 907, 100 Bay Street, Sausalito
$65-$89
21+
Where are you going to celebrate Halloween this year? The bar down the street? Your friend's garage? How about starting your Saturday night on a pirate ship?!
On October 28, the Schooner Freda B will be departing Sausalito just before sunset, armed with special libations (available for cash purchase) and monsters from every corner of the Bay. We'll set sail and watch the sun set over the San Francisco Bay, and then cruise around for a couple hours in the twilight.
It's okay if you'd rather do something less exciting, but for those who want a spooky adventure, you've found the right boat!
Costume Contest with prizes
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Reclaiming's Spiral Dance
A ritual to honor our beloved dead and dance the spiral of rebirth
Sunday, October 28, doors open at 6:00PM, Ritual begins at 7:30PM
Come early to view the altars, for pre-ritual music,
and to hear the names of the Beloved Dead
Richmond Memorial Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
see website for admission details
A ritual to honor our beloved dead and dance the spiral of rebirth
2017 Intention: Riding the knife's edge of history, we face the great challenge of this present moment; to step off the old path and weave futures of strength and joy with the dead and the generations to come.
The holiday popularly known as Halloween is the time of year known to witches as Samhain, when the veil is thin between the worlds of the living and the dead. We gather to remember and honor our ancestors, our Beloved Dead, and all those who have crossed over. As we mourn for those we love who have died this year, we also mourn the losses and pain suffered by the Earth, our Mother. Yet even as we grieve we also remember and honor the sacred cycle of life, death, rebirth and regeneration, celebrating the births of our children born this year, and our own vital connections to the Earth and each other, in which we ground our hope.
The first Spiral Dance ritual was held in 1979 to celebrate the publication of Starhawk’s book, The Spiral Dance (Harper and Row) Starhawk, a founding member of the Reclaiming Collective, wrote the original script which remains the heart of the ritual, though it has been altered and embellished over the years by her and many other people. Traditionally, the Spiral Dance calls upon the energy and talents of musicians, artists, poets, dancers, craftspeople, singers, technicians, priests and priestesses from the Reclaiming Community and beyond, and we are grateful to everyone who helps to create this magical experience we all share.
This is a participatory ritual and pageant which has become a central event in the Wheel of the Year for many in the Reclaiming Community and beyond. Over 1,200 people join in this observance of the Witches’ New year, and the event raises funds which support the work of Reclaiming throughout the year.
When we dance the Spiral, young and old together, we remember and honor our own past at that same time that we renew our vision and embrace the future. Let it begin now!
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Howl-O-Ween Family Sleepover
Saturday, October 28, 6:00PM-Sunday, October 29, 10:00AM
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, 1300 Senter Road, San Jose
$63 per person
Ages 5 and up with an adult
Be our overnight guest for a howling good time & enjoy the thrill of the zoo after dark!
During your adventure, learn the truth about "scary" animals through Halloween-themed activities (including Trick-or-Treat stations), games, live animal encounters, and night tours. Your adventure includes a late-night snack and a hot breakfast the next morning, including pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and more! Please note: dinner is NOT included.
Bring your own tent to tent camp in the Crooked House Meadow or sleep indoors inside the Learning LODGE. Indoor sleeping is limited and must be requested at the time of registration by contacting the Education Department. Please eat dinner before you arrive or pack a picnic dinner to bring with you. The Picnic Basket restaurant will not be open.
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SuperNatural Halloween at the Academy of Sciences
Saturday, October 28, 6:30-9:00PM
California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
Adults $50, Children $35
Grab your favorite costume and have yourself a ghoulishly good time as you trick-or-treat your way through the Academy at night among spooktacular animals and spine-tingling specimens!
Come enjoy:
NEW this year! Silent Disco in the Steinhart Aquarium
Trick-or-treating, Dancing, Face painting, Magic shows, Scientists and specimens, Live animal shows, Giant pumpkin carving, Crafts, Photo booths, Food and drink
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CAYA Pagan Congregation’s Rite of Death & Wisdom
Saturday, October 28,
Doors open at 7:00, ritual begins at 7:30
The Home of Truth, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda
$10-$20 donation requested
Open to all, children must be closely supervised by a parent at all times.
Come As You Are to...
The Rite of Death & Wisdom
Our community gathers for our annual devotional to the Ancestors and the cthonic deities associated with the mysteries of death. This year, we are especially honouring Lilith, Jord, Cailleach, and Morta. Please feel free to bring an Ancestor photo for the altar, and a clearly-labelled dish to share during the cakes and ale portion of the ritual.
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Wake the Dead
Halloween celebration with Celtic all-star Grateful Dead jam band
Saturday, October 28, 7:00PM
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley
$26 in advance, $30 at the door
What could be more fitting? Wake the Dead plays the Freight for Halloween, or, if you prefer All Hallows’ Eve, a time to remember the dead and the Grateful Dead, with the world’s first Celtic all-star Grateful Dead jam band. They’ve recently brought their unique brand of musical alchemy to the Summer of Love, much to the delight of Deadheads, folkies, rockers, and lovers of Irish reels. The Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit, the Youngbloods’ Get Together, Stephen Stills’ Love the One You’re With - all receive the band’s unique Celtic twist.
The band features Maureen Brennan on harp, Cindy Browne on bass, Danny Carnahan on vocals, fiddle, octave mandolin, and guitar, Kevin Carr on fiddle, whistles and uilleann pipes, Sylvia Herold on vocals, Paul Kotapish on mandolin, guitar, and jaw harp, and Brian Rice on percussion. Their shows tend to sell out, so get your tickets early and enjoy a show that’s sure to be spooky, freaky, and exquisitely other worldly.
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Community Seed Samhain Ritual
Saturday, October 28, 7:00-10:00PM
Masonic Temple, 828 N. Branciforte Avenue, Santa Cruz
suggested donation of $8-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds
for more information, call 831-469-0336 or e-mail info@communityseed.org
Community Seed presents...
Samhain 2017: Our Dance with Death
Seasons don’t fear the Reaper, nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain.
(And neither should we!)
See website for details about Potluck Feast.
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Spooktacular Halloween Dance
Saturday, October 28, 7:00-10:00PM
Doors open at 6:15PM, Dance Lesson at 6:30PM
Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco
Free, registration required
18+
Experience events that capture the spirit and vitality of the Presidio... past and present.
Celebrate the most ghostly night of the year in the haunted splendor of the Presidio Officers’ Club. Bewitch the ballroom to the spellbinding retro sounds of the Ely Brothers & The Doubletake Band, enjoy trick or treat twirls by the San Francisco Jitterbugs, divine your future with our resident Fortune Tellers, and savor diabolical specialty spirits available for purchase from our acclaimed Arguello restaurant. Don’t miss San Francisco’s finest evening of fiendish fun!
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Monsters Bash 2017: Swing Horror & 60s Frights
on board the USS Hornet
Saturday, October 28, 7:30PM-1:00AM
USS Hornet Museum, 707 W Hornet Avenue, Pier 3, Alameda
The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum and A-Town Agency Present
Monsters Bash 2017: Swing Horror & 60s Frights
Featuring Zombie Sick Bay Crawl and Haunted Fo’c’sle Tour
The East Bay’s Premier Party and Haunted Attraction
Costume Contest
Dancing
No Host Bar
Food Vendors
Fun
Free Parking
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Phantasm: Hall of Mirrors
presented by Opel
and the Vau de Vire Society
Saturday, October 28, 9:00PM-Midnight
San Francisco Armory, 1800 Mission Street, San Francisco
see website for ticket details
Halloween in San Francisco is at it’s best within the massive haunted castle setting of the legendary Armory for Phantasm. It’s Music, it’s Art, it’s Performance, it’s Spectacle, it’s Big, it’s Intimate, it’s Kinky, it’s Sexy and it’s back for year 3 to give you and friends an amazing night.
Featuring a world class eclectic line up of special guests in the global super star Hot Since 82, French techno priestess Miss Kittin, the undisputed Kings of jack bootie breaks & garage, legends Stanton Warriors, and the unique performance spectacle of Vau de Vire Society. Add that to the best cross section of locals from your favorite Burning Man and city crews, Big Art, an immersive midway, a kinky laced VIP area on the Upper Floor, and much, much more...
From the production minds behind such stellar and forward thinking fun offering such as New Bohemia NYE, Opulent Temple, Edwardian Ball, Masquerotica, the Soiled Dove, the Sacred Dance ‘white parties’, Bohemian Carnival, and so much more.
Step into a midway of careening colors and karni oddities, surrounded by big beats and dangerous performers where you’re not quite sure where the audience ends and the show begins. The haunted halls of the Armory will come alive on Halloween as we co-write the next chapter in epic spooky avant garde gatherings.
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Boo at the Zoo
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29, 10:00AM-3:00PM
Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
included with Zoo admission
Stroll the Zoo in costume and collect yummy treats. Ride the spooky boo train and join the dance party. Plus, get your face painted, make treats for the animals, and see how the animals at Oakland Zoo celebrate Halloween. Kids in costumes receive a free ride ticket.
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Jack O'Lantern Jamboree
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Children's Fairyland, on the shore of Lake Merritt at Grand Avenue and Bellevue, Oakland
$10
On the last weekend in October, join us to celebrate with fun and games that are more delightful than frightful.
Come in costume and enjoy a spooktacular extravaganza with:
Unlimited rides
Parades
Goody bags and treat stations for kids (while supplies last)
Two jumpers, one for little kids and one for bigger kids
Arts and crafts
Pirate school
Balloon twisting
Special performances
Shows by our Children’s Theater Program and Storybook Puppet Theater
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Halloween Costume Weekend at Playland
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29, 10:00AM-5:00PM
Playland-Not-At-The-Beach, 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
see website for admission details
What could be spookier, safer, or more fun than Halloween all weekend at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach? Our Halloween Costume Party weekend gives trick-or-treaters chances to play carnival games, FREE PLAY pinball, win prizes and more! Prizes for everyone who comes in costume.
Performances by Fabulous Frank at 1:00PM & 3:00PM
Fabulous Frank will join us to perform his wonderfully funny magic. Originally from Connecticut, Frank assisted other magicians at Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, but always in a sidekick role. When one of the in-house magicians became ill, Frank began performing his own shows. This guy is really Fabulous and knows how to have a good time with his audience!!!
Over 30+ pinball machines spanning seven decades, video games, Penny Arcade machines, challenging carnival games of skill, interactive displays and exhibits, miniature circuses, sideshow exhibits, baffling magic shows - they are all here waiting to entertain and amuse you!
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Happy Creepy Hall-oween
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29, 10:00AM-5:00PM
The Lawrence Hall of Science, 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, 510-642-5132
Free with admission
Celebrate Halloween with Science!
Start your Halloween early and celebrate all weekend long during Happy Creepy Hall-oween.
From pumpkin lifts in the Ingenuity Lab to giant trebuchet demonstrations with UC Berkeley’s Pioneers in Engineering program, you’re sure to find the perfect way to celebrate with science.
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Dia de Los Muertos Masks
Creative Family Fun at the Presidio
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29, 11:00AM-4:00PM
Presidio of San Francisco
Free
Drop in for imaginative craft-making based on the Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage.
Come explore the Presidio's connection to Mexico by making Day of the Dead masks!
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All Hallows Fantasy Faire
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29,
Saturday 12:00PM-11:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM-6:00PM
Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora
see website for ticket details
The Original modern themed Costume Play Fantasy Festival In the Mother Lode of California - Where Imagination can become your reality!
The Original 9th Annual All Hallows Fantasy Faire is a two day all inclusive costume play Celtic New Year's Celebration! Keeping the All-Hallows tradition this year, we will have a magnificent fire show and The Burning of the Harvestman. The Faire is deeply rooted in the beliefs of the Celtic people, but combined with all the fun and excitement of a modern Halloween.
Hundreds of visiting creatures and characters from your favorite fairy tales and Hollywood movies will come to life over this fun-filled family weekend! The faire offers many exciting venues to hear live music, enjoy themed food and drink, buy unique items, and marvel at jugglers and magicians. Wear your new or old costume and get into the fun and thrills of the faire! Music is always one of the favorites at the faire and this year will be more crazy & eclectic!
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Pumpkins on Pikes
Tara Firma Farms, 3796 I Street, Petaluma, 707-765-1202
Saturday, October 28, 2:00-10:00PM
$20, admission includes a pumpkin, Children under 6 Free
Sunday, October 29, 3:00-7:00PM
Sunday $15, admission includes a pumpkin, Children under 6 Free
Pumpkins on Pikes is one of those very special events where magic is created and experienced by all who attend.
The festivities start in the afternoon with pumpkin carving, archery, maze, hay bale pyramid, and fun games like pillow jousting and corn hole.
Everyone will get the chance to display their Jack-O-Lantern on a pike in the corn field with all the pumpkins from Saturday's event. When the sun goes down all of the pumpkins are lit. It is a truly heart warming feeling looking over the glowing corn field to see the individual creations of all who attended over the weekend.
$10 BBQ plate will be available for dinner on Saturday evening.
Pumpkin included with admission.
Bring:
Special carving tools
Blanket (if staying after dark)
Favorite food (If participating in potluck)
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Haul-o-ween Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Saturday-Sunday, October 28-29,
Obtainium Works, 510 Pennsylvania Street, Vallejo
See website for schedule and ticket details
Neverwas Haul, a self-propelled 3-story Victorian House, made from 75% recycled equipment and materials, returns with new interiors, engine, and collections from its travels around the world (i.e., oddities of the Jules Verne era including a Camera Obscura, described below). The Haul measures 24 feet long by 24 feet high and 12 feet wide and is built on the base of a 5 th wheel travel trailer.
Obtainium Works is the home base of the Hibernian Academy of UnNatural Sciences, based in Vallejo, California. It is an on-going Do It Yourself (DIY) group of tinkerers, gearheads, and steam bohemians who fabricate art out of repurposed industrial detritus. We call it "Obtainium." We are loosely based on the works of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and other Victorian-era writers who created an imaginary world where steam technology was considered cutting edge and brave explorers could be propelled by gun powder to the moon!
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Halloween Trunk-or-Treat Spooktacular
Sunday, October 29, 10:00AM-2:00PM
along Main Street, Martinez
Free
We're teaming up with local businesses to provide a safe place for you to enjoy Halloween festivities. Instead of walking house to house, visit creatively themed and decorated car trunks and shops lining downtown Martinez to collect candy and treats.
The Trunk or Treat and Store to Store event will happen on a Sunday, in conjunction with the Farmers Market. The Market will be on the 600 and 700 blocks of Main Street and the 500, 800, and 900 blocks will be filled with Trunk or Treat cars. Many stores throughout the downtown area will also be open and handing out treats.
Treat bags and maps will be handed out to Trunk or Treaters in the Main Street Plaza, adjacent to Starbucks on Main Street.
Face painting in the plaza will be provided by the City of Martinez Parks and Recreation Department.
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Fruitvale Dia de los Muertos
Sunday, October 29, 10:00AM-5:00PM
along East 12th Street between 33rd Avenue and 37th Avenue
and in Fruitvale Village, Oakland
Free admission
Now in its 22nd year, The Unity Council DÃa de Los Muertos Festival is a free, outdoor festival that brings over 60,000 people to the vibrant, culturally-rich Fruitvale neighborhood to enjoy world-class live music, family friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the stunning altar artistic installations created by community members paying homage to los muertos.
Families across California join us to experience live music, Ballet folklorico, and Aztec dancers and to shop at the local artisan craft stands. The DÃa de los Muertos Festival was inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress by Congresswoman Barbara Lee as a Local Legacy.
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Bewitching Tea
Sunday, October 29,
three seatings 11:00AM, 1:00PM, and 3:00PM
Camellia Tea Room, 838 First Street, Benicia
$45 (includes tax and gratuity), reservations required
Featuring:
Traditional Afternoon Tea
Fashion Show
Party Favors
Haunted Hat Contest
Proceeds benefit Safequest of Solano County a non profit agency that serves victims of domestic violence. Event is sponsored by Camellia Tea Room and Soroptimist International of Benicia. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 707-746-5293.
Camellia Tea Room is located in a beautifully restored 1897 building in historic downtown Benicia. Lace curtains, ivory tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table, tea served in bone china teapots and an ornate ceiling featuring Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers make for an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. In addition to afternoon tea, we serve lunch and desserts, and everything is made fresh daily in our kitchen. We offer more than 40 fine loose leaf teas.
Welcome!
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Nautical Nightmares: Halloween Sail
aboard the Schooner Freda B with SF Bay Adventures
Sunday, October 29, 11:30AM-2:30PM
boarding at Sausalito Yacht Harbor, Slip 907, 100 Bay Street, Sausalito
$29-$49
Join the captain and crew of the traditional Schooner Freda B for a special Halloween Sail, all about the ghosts, legends, and lore of the Bay Area. This family-friendly sail boards in downtown Sausalito and cruises around the San Francisco Bay, where you'll learn about local shipwrecks and notorious criminals, including "Baby Face" Nelson and "Madam Mayor" Sally Stanford.
Prize for Scariest Nautical Costume!
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Halloween Hoopla at Yerba Buena Gardens
Sunday, October 29, 12:00-2:00PM
Children's Garden, Yerba Buena Gardens, 799 Howard Street, San Francisco
Free
Our 17th annual Halloween Hoopla features interactive performances and games for kids under 10 and their adults! Led by the ever-popular Unique Derique, the program features live music from Chelle! & Friends, roaming shenanigans from the Pi Clowns, mysterious palm reader Madam Z, and eco-conscious craft activities with Trash Mash-Up.
Compete in the annual Mummy Wrap and more games. Vote for your favorite pumpkin of the Yerba Buena Pumpkin Patch, with entries from Yerba Buena Community Benefit District, Children’s Creativity Museum, B Restaurant and Bar San Francisco, Yerba Buena Gardens, California Historical Society, Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center. Remember to take a photo at the Hoopla Photo Spot! The program culminates in the eagerly-awaited Halloween Costume Parade, where everyone is welcome to show off their Halloween finery.
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Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Campbell
Sunday, October 29, 4:00-7:30PM
Historic Downtown Campbell
(along E Campbell Avenue between Harrison Avenue and Winchester Boulevard, Campbell)
Free
Well, it's spooky time in Downtown Campbell again! Downtown Campbell invites you to bring your two and four legged little ghouls, goblins, and superheroes to our haunted district for some scary good fun and Trick or Treating.
As we started doing last year, we'll have the streets closed off around Downtown Campbell to allow the spooks, little, big, and pawed to go haunting by. If you think you have the scariest ghoul of all, you won't want to miss our annual costume contest for prizes donated by local merchants.
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All Hallows Read
Tuesday, October 31
wherever you please!
All Hallow’s Read is a Hallowe’en tradition. It’s simply that in the week of Hallowe’en, or on the night itself, you give someone a scary book.
Scholars have traced its origins as far back as this blog post. http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2010/10/modest-proposal-that-doesnt-actually.html
Neil Gaiman says (well, said, in the aforementioned blog post):
“I propose that, on Hallowe'en or during the week of Hallowe'en, we give each other scary books. Give children scary books they'll like and can handle. Give adults scary books they'll enjoy.
I propose that stories by authors like John Bellairs and Stephen King and Arthur Machen and Ramsey Campbell and M R James and Lisa Tuttle and Peter Straub and Daphne Du Maurier and Clive Barker and a hundred hundred others change hands - new books or old or second-hand, beloved books or unknown. Give someone a scary book for Hallowe'en. Make their flesh creep...
Give a scary book.
If you don't know what kinds of books there are, or what would be appropriate for the person you're giving a book to, talk to a bookseller. They love to help, most of them. (The ones that don't tend not to be booksellers for long.) Talk to librarians. (Do not plan to give away their books though, unless they are having a library sale.)
That's it. That's my idea.
Scary book. Hallowe'en.
Who's with me?
Neil”
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Fourth Street Halloween Fest
Tuesday, October 31, 2:00-5:00PM
Fourth Street Shops, 1834 Fourth Street, Berkeley
Free
Join us for our annual Halloween party on Delaware at Fourth Street! Your outfits are amazing and your Halloween spirit is too. Come play with us! So excited to welcome you back again this year!
Free & Fun Festivities
Trick or Treating at merchant shops
Spooky (but not too scary ;)) Street decorations stretching from Hearst to Virginia
Face Painters
Scary Hair booth sponsored by Keter Salon
Professional Photo Booth sponsored by Photolab
Art booth sponsored by Castle in the Air
Live Music
Bubble Show
Caterpillar Puppet Show 2:30-3:00PM
Cat in the Hat/Dr. Seuss Story booth
and Special Events at the Shops!
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Neglected Murderesses, or, A Very Gorey Halloween, Chapter II
Tuesday, October 31, 9:00PM-3:00AM
Cat Club SF, 1190 Folsom Street, San Francisco
$35-$45
Follow the lead of the forlorn and haunted baby buggy as it illuminates vignettes of Edward Gorey's classic compilation Neglected Murderesses in an immersive evening of music and theatre. Join Paradox Media & The Edwardian Ball for this hallowed celebration and the launch of the Edwardian Ball 2018 season!
Featuring performances by Fou Fou HA!, Rose Harden, Decay, DJ Bunny Whiskers, Speakeasy Syndicate, Tyler Ryan (Tumbledown House, Gaslight Mafia), Skyler (Vaude Villainz), and other Goreyfied delights!
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Dia de los Muertos Berkeley
Thursday, November 2, 5:00-10:00PM
Kittredge Street and Harold Way, Berkeley
Free
Build a Community Altar 5:00-10:00PM
Candle Light Procession 9:00PM
DIY Art Projects
Free Skeletal Face Painting
Food Trucks
Beer & Wine Garden
Music
At this time of year, when the veil between the living and dead is thought to be at its most diaphanous, take part in the eighth year of the Dìa de los Muertos Celebration. Gather in the heart of Downtown Berkeley on Kittredge Street and Harold Way on Thursday, November 2, 5:00-10:00PM to celebrate and remember those who have passed on.
The event hosts food booths and trucks, a wine and beer garden at Maison Bleue, free skeletal face painting, and art and craft vendors. There are DIY art projects for kids and adults including ceramic or sugar skull painting. Mariachi music by Con Permiso and the hauntingly beautiful violin of Kippy Marks make the evening magical. Costumes and traditional Dìa de los Muertos papier maché giant heads are encouraged.
This year several altars will be created by local artists and students from Berkeley City College. The public is invited to bring photos or stories of loved ones, candles, breads, or flowers to add to the large community ofrenda. A sidewalk candle light blessing of the altar is followed by a procession through the area along a path of strewn marigold petals.
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Dia de los Muertos San Francisco
Thursday, November 2, 7:00PM
Parade starts at 22nd Street and Bryant Street, San Francisco
and leads to 26th Street and Harrison Street
ending at the Festival of Altars in Garfield Park, 4:00-11:00PM
Festival of Altars organized by Marigold Project
Festival of Altars, 4:00-11:00PM, Garfield Park, 26th and Harrison Streets
We welcome you to make an altar for a loved one that has passed away. Making a Day of the Dead altar is a way for us to honor the life of someone who is no longer with us and to remember our ancestors. Each year, hundreds of personal altars line the perimeter of Garfield Park.
All candles must be in GLASS containers, no open flame candles are allowed at the park.
Procession organized and led by Rescue Culture Collective
Ritual assembles at 22nd and Bryant 6:00-7:00PM
STARTS at 22nd and Bryant at exactly 7:00PM, and moves along Bryant to 24th Street
CONTINUES along 24th Street to the corner of 24th Street and Mission
CONTINUES along Mission Street to 22nd Street and turns on 22nd Street
CONTINUES along 22nd Street to Bryant Street
CONCLUDES at the corner of 22nd and Bryant Street
Help keep Day of the Dead Alive!
Let's ensure that Day of the Dead SF remains a true community supported event. Please consider making a donation via our chip-in page. Every dollar counts and no donation is too small. All proceeds go to securing park permits and artistic expression at Garfield Park.
About Day of the Dead:
Dia de los Muertos is a traditional Meso-American holiday dedicated to the ancestors; it honors both death and the cycle of life. In Mexico, neighbors gather in local cemeteries to share food, music, and fun with their extended community, both living and departed. The celebration acknowledges that we still have a relationship with our ancestors and loved ones that have passed away.
In San Francisco, Day of the Dead has been celebrated in the Mission district since the early 70s with art, music, performances and a walking procession, which help us contemplate our existence and mortality - a moment to remember deceased friends and family, and our connections beyond our immediate concerns.
Day of the Dead is an alcohol-free event with no vendors or booths of any type. Please honor this tradition and do not attempt to sell goods on the premises of Garfield Park.
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Barry and Maya Spector's Day of the Dead Ritual
Saturday, November 4, 9:00AM-6:00PM
Hillside Church, 1422 Navellier Street, El Cerrito
$30 if paid in advance, $50 if paid at the door.
Pre-registration required. No one refused. Work scholarships available.
Whether or not we have recently lost loved ones, we all carry a heavy load of grief and stress simply by living in these times. When we can’t find ways to drop the weight of this emotional burden, we can become hopeless, bitter or numb. Letting it go makes room for a new kind of imagination to enter. The release of these emotions requires a safe space and a caring community.
We will take a full day to help each other remember our ancestors and our personal and collective losses. In some traditions, this is the time of year when the veil between our world and the unseen world is thin; it is an opportune time to complete any unfinished business that prevents us from fully participating in life. This will be a day of mourning and remembrance, but also of great beauty and celebration. There will be poetry, storytelling, drumming, altar-building and chanting from African, Celtic, Mexican and other traditions.
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DÃa de los Muertos Community Festival Santa Cruz
Saturday, November 4, 12:30-6:00PM
Abbott Square, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
Free
Trick or Treat with us in Abbott Square!
We’ll be handing out candy and sharing local history. Who was Dr. Cureton? Also get in the Halloween mood with spooky piano tunes with musical performance by Kylan DeGhetaldi.
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Niles Altar Walk
Saturday, November 4, 2:00-9:00PM
Niles Town Plaza, 37592 Niles Boulevard, Fremont
Free
Our 6th Year! Join us for a Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Niles Style
Saturday, November 4, 2017 between 2:00-9:00PM in the Niles Town Plaza, the town will join together in honoring our loved ones that have passed. Each year this beloved event has grown in attendance and appreciation. The tradition continues with locals and friends creating altars, dressing up to meet the dead, sharing stories, food, music, tears and laughter!
A community altar is created by our team and all are invited to add photos (photocopies please), prayers, thoughts, flowers and non valuable mementos. We will send the prayers up during our Closing Ceremony taking place at 7:00PM, where again, all attendees are encouraged to participate!
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Souls of the City: Dia de los Muertos in Old Sacramento
Saturday, November 4, 6:00-10:00PM
Sacramento History Museum, 101 I Street, Old Sacramento
Adults $6, Children 6-17 $4, Children 5 and under Free
We invite the entire community to come join us as Sacramento Aztec Dancers Maquilli Tonatiuh lead the official Day of the Dead ceremony at the annual Souls of the City festival in Old Sacramento.
Since 2011, Sol Collective has worked to bring the ancient tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to the Sacramento community. Shrouded in mysticism for many Americans, Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition celebrating and honoring the lives of relatives and ancestors past. Sol Collective’s annual Souls of the City festival and cultural arts programming offer hands-on education about the deep-rooted history and traditions of Dia de los Muertos.
For the sixth year and in partnership with the Sacramento History Museum, Sol Collective will be hosting workshops in sugar skull making, altar building, and the history of Dia de los Muertos through arts. These workshops are open to anyone in the community interested in learning about the ancient traditions and culture behind Dia De Los Muertos. Sol Collective believes that it is through open education and sharing of cultures that respect, understanding, and equity are cultivated. In our current political climate it is this education that separates cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. We encourage community members of all ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds to come out, learn the history, and participate in honoring their loved ones passed.
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ShadowDance
Saturday, November 11, 7:30PM-2:00AM
Oakland Metro Opera House, 630 3rd Street, Oakland
$25 in advance, $30 at the door
21+
Welcome Lovely Creatures!
Join us for an evening of DARKNESSSSS...
Our 2017 line up hopes to tear at your heart's strings, give you a feast for the senses and promises to reach inside and rip your heart from its chest!
Formal, creative, unique, individualistic, and gothic attire welcomed and quite frankly, requested.
Allow The Dark Side Of The Moon And All Her Loveliness And Glory Fully Enrapture You… Envelope You… Soothe And Comfort You…
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If you are looking for a spooky or splendid costume, here are a few places to seek what your heart desires:
Adira Dance and Costumes
2038 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, 408-269-0110
2038 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, 408-269-0110
Assistance League of Los Altos Costume Bank
169 State Street, Los Altos, 650-941-2610
The Belrose Costume Shoppe
1415 5th Avenue, San Rafael, 415-454-6422
Closet Capers
1211 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, 831-425-7685
Costume Corner
3820A San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante, 510-222-9200
Costumes On Haight
735 Haight Street, San Francisco, 415-621-1356
Disguise The Limit
Fantasy Clothing Company
1275 Folsom Street, Suite 100, San Francisco, 415-556-9900
Fun House Theatrical
120 East Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale, 408-446-1755
Masque Arrayed
1610 Carleton Street, Berkeley, 510-548-8252
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And because I don't want to exhaust myself, I'll end by referring you to these exhaustive lists of spooky events and other Samhain-errific attractions in the Bay Area:
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Have fun and revel in the spooky and the sacred during this, the height of the Pagan social season! Just remember to look both ways before crossing the street, wear reflective tape on your Skeleton Ninja costume (unless you have a sufficiently shiny aura), and have a grown up Priestess check all your candy to make sure it's not possessed by evil spirits. She may have to confiscate some of it - it's for your own good!
Honour the Ancestors! Respect the Otherworld Deities! And leave treats out for the Fey!
Molly, the Blue Horror of Dawn*
Anyone who recognized it gets a treat... let's see... how about some forced greengages?
